CRYSTAL FALLS TOWNSHIP—Crystal Falls Interim City Manager Dorothea Olson attended the Crystal Falls Township’s Jan. 12 meeting to explain the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery operating costs.

Originally, the township was asked for $42,000 toward cemetery costs because, she explained, "It was a bad year for the cemetery budget due to misplaced labor and fringe benefits.

“The sexton and I went over the cemetery ledger and found almost $8,000 in items that should not have been billed to the cemetery,” said Olson. Such items included equipment, gasoline, repairs and labor, bringing the township’s share down to around $35,000.

“My concern," said Township Supervisor Tom Lesandrini, “is moving forward without a budget. Cemetery activity ends in November, but we only see a bill when the payment is due in the spring. Quarterly reports would be helpful. Then the township could see how the budget is going.”

Budgets are only a prediction, Olson explained. “We know what the expenses are, but can only guess at the revenues.”

Trustee Diane Kut wondered if more people are doing cremations, then there are less burials, so wouldn’t there be less labor?

Olson explained the labor costs are in maintenance not burials. Last summer the city used Michigan Works employees and cut back on full-time employees in order to cut costs. She also learned city employees were volunteering their time at the cemetery on the weekends.

As for the budget, Olson said she doesn’t know why the township never received budget figures. Right now, the city is waiting for its audit in order to know the actual costs, so she was presenting preliminary calculations in order to move forward.

These include about $53 ,000 in salaries, plus equipment and vehicle repair, benefits for the full-time labor and supplies, materials and tools, for a projected total of $115 ,000.

“I encourage you to come on board with us,” said Olson. “We have done everything we can to reduce those maintenance costs.”

The township had budgeted $30,000 toward the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. Kut expressed concern with the maintenance and why the city can’t get those costs reduced.

“I’m still uncomfortable paying the $35,000,” she told the board. The matter was tabled.

On the other pending joint matter, Lesandrini and Kut were appointed to a committee to oversee the Fire Authority contract.

Township Attorney Steve Tinti will also sit on the committee. Lesandrini explained the Fire Authority operates the fire department how the city and township want it run. This new group will discuss the contract language.

In other business, the non-elected employees were given a 2.75 percent pay increase.